Peake’s extraordinary achievement is to have captured the spirit of each age, tracking the growth of Jarman the artist and man in the context of the changing world around him… Every great life is made greater by a great Life, and Peake has given Derek Jarman the biography he deserves – Simon Edge, Gay Times, February 2000
This is a superbly written biography, both evocative and gritty, as much a social history of post-war Britain as a life of an artist – Ian Graham, Irish Independent, 12/02/2000
Unlikely to be surpassed as the ultimate assessment of a unique, colourful and subversive genius still sorely missed – Philip Hamer, City Life (Manchester), 26/01/2000
Outstanding… the thorough-going life story that the British experimental director and gay crusader deserves – Nigel Andrews, Financial Times, 27/11/1999
The best kind of biographical writing – simple and transparent – so you see through to the life – James Hopkin, Independent on Sunday, 21/11/1999
That Jarman lived and died on the cutting edge of contemporary culture is central to the thesis of Tony Peake’s monumentally well-researched and fittingly respectful biography of this multifaceted personality. Peake… is his subject’s perfect biographer – Jeremy Reed, The Times Metro Section, 13-19 November 1999
This unblinking record complements the arresting images and conscientious objector’s spirit left by its incandescent subject – I-D Magazine, October 1999
(A) clear and candid biography – Ned Denny, The Daily Mail, 14/01/2000
A substantial, sympathetic life – Richard Canning, The Independent, 04/02/2000
Remarkable man, remarkable book – GQ Magazine, December 1999